Joshua Dennis (Diné) is an emerging Indigenous scholar, public servant, and PhD applicant in Indigenous Studies at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. Rooted in Diné teachings and trained in environmental studies and mathematics, his work bridges regulatory energy policy with Indigenous ways of knowing. Joshua has served as a Regulatory Analyst for the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, where he prioritized energy equity and decarbonization for Tribal and overburdened communities.

 

He was a Climate Researcher with the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community under the Department of Environmental Protection, contributing to food sovereignty, teenage mental health, and climate adaptation programs through Protect Mother Earth. He also serves as Senior Communications Lead for the Indigenous Speaker Series, elevating Native voices in policy, science, and the arts.

 

Joshua’s academic journey has focused on the interconnection between microgrids, energy sovereignty, and Indigenous resilience. His work is grounded in a commitment to relational accountability, cultural continuance, and the belief that Indigenous people are not just surviving colonial systems - but actively remaking them in the image of our kinship and futures.